Almost a thousand Armed Forces members are expected on the parade. Credit: PA

First Minister, Carwyn Jones, will join members of the forces community for today's parade through Cardiff city centre, before giving a reading at a special Drum Head service.

Speaking ahead of the event, he said: "Today is about much more than commemorating the sacrifice of soldiers in past conflicts alone; it's about showing our support for the whole Armed Forces community, past and present.

"We owe our serving military personnel and veterans a huge debt of gratitude. Their commitment and sacrifice both here and overseas helps ensure our freedom and safety."

The parade will start at Cardiff Castle at 10:30am and travel through the city centre, followed by the Drum Head service at Coopers Field at 12pm.

Over 800 service personnel, cadets and veterans will parade in Cardiff. Credit: PA

Hundreds of service personnel will descend on Cardiff today as part of Armed Forces Day.

A contingent of cyclists from the Dutch city of Hertogenbosch will be among the special guests at the event in Cooper's Field in Bute Park, to commemorate a connection forged between two cities in 1944.

The mayor of Hertogenbosch, a choir and a brass band will join the team of cyclists who will carry a 'Torch of Freedom' from the 146 graves of Welshmen who fell in the liberation. The torch will be presented to the First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones.

Over 800 Service personnel, cadets and veterans will start the day with a parade at around 1100 led by the band of the Royal Marines. The puppet from the Wales Millennium Centre's production of War Horse will also be part of the parade.

Joey, the puppet horse from the production of War Horse, will join the parade. Credit: Wales Millennium Centre